NGD Murphy Lab R9. You must be kidding

[Brek]

here are the cutout and lower bout on mine. In one interview Murphy said there was a new process coming online shortly and they were very excited about the results, this was a few months ago, but didn't say what that process was though. I have seen two other guitars with thick lacquer in those areas, one is my R0 which is a VOS finish, and I think one of Cailings?

 

[Pageburst]

Amorrow, Sweet guitar! You should post a picture of the top. The cutaway area looks good but the back around the switchplate appears to have that similar unnatural deep groove like checking. It’s very easy to see when I turn up the brightness on my screen. This seems typical on the MLs I’ve seen to one degree or another.

 

[Pageburst]

here are the cutout and lower bout on mine. In one interview Murphy said there was a new process coming online shortly and they were very excited about the results, this was a few months ago, but didn't say what that process was though. I have seen two other guitars with thick lacquer in those areas, one is my R0 which is a VOS finish, and I think one of Cailings?
View attachment 542936 View attachment 542937 View attachment 542938

Brek in those pictures the checking looks very natural. Is that a goldtop?

 

[amorrow]

Amorrow, Sweet guitar! You should post a picture of the top. The cutaway area looks good but the back around the switchplate appears to have that similar unnatural deep groove like checking. It’s very easy to see when I turn up the brightness on my screen. This seems typical on the MLs I’ve seen to one degree or another.

Thanks Pageburst...asking about my 59? It's a M2M with Jimmy Page #1 specs. I posted some photos in a separate thread of top, but here they are and some more pics of the switch cavity area. It's definitely checked in that area, but I think still feels pretty smooth and nowhere does the finish look like it's lifting or anything though.

 

[Brek]

Brek in those pictures the checking looks very natural. Is that a goldtop?

No, thats the 1958, i'll put some of the goldtop on as well.

 

[Pageburst]

That’s awesome with Jimmy Page specs. Congrats! I looked at a ML with Rossington wear and specs but I’d be more interested in a Page or a Greeny

Thanks Pageburst...asking about my 59? It's a M2M with Jimmy Page #1 specs. I posted some photos in a separate thread of top, but here they are and some more pics of the switch cavity area. It's definitely checked in that area, but I think still feels pretty smooth and nowhere does the finish look like it's lifting or anything though.

 

[Brek]

They should do a lab pagey and greeny. But properly this time, pre 72 spec, or, post 72 with the correct wiring.

 

[Phil W]

I'll damage your guitar for half the cost and with perfect authenticity.
Send me your guitar; the process takes 5 to 10 years but it'll look better than Murphy's 'attempt' ...
Yes?

 

[amorrow]

They should do a lab pagey and greeny. But properly this time, pre 72 spec, or, post 72 with the correct wiring.

Yea from what I know about Page’s #1, it’s more like pre-‘72 with the Grovers and shaved neck but with original pots, pickups, standard jack plate (I made the aluminum one on it now). Would’ve been nice to have an uncovered white bridge, but I don’t think Gibson can do that.

The neck felt weird at first, but quickly got used to it and it’s surprisingly comfortable and nice to play.

 

[ManicPete]

What is the guitar in the photo on the bottom right?

On second thoughts, could you label all of them! Amazing photo!

 

[boola1]

the whole guitar vibrates on the G string around the b fret, like feel it in your chest vibrates, although the amplified sound is not picking it up

I suspect the pickups. Same thing on my 2020, the guitar just didn't respond like it did unplugged. I put some older, potted Custombuckers in and now it sounds exactly the same plugged in or unplugged.

 

[Brek]

I suspect the pickups. Same thing on my 2020, the guitar just didn't respond like it did unplugged. I put some older, potted Custombuckers in and now it sounds exactly the same plugged in or unplugged.

Not sure what the cause is, the vibration i hear unplugged is very loud, not actually something i want coming through the pickups, i might not have described it very well in original post. Its like a metal part is vibrating sympathetically around the B note. I tightened the pots up a bit and removed the pickguard and it seems to have done the trick. The guitar is amazingly resonant, but now without the rumble. So funny, as loads of sales adds say 'most resonant I ever had' this one it really is. Leagues apart from the other six i have had in last year.

 

[Cory]

I’ve yet to understand the aging/relic hype - the intentional dinging, checking & butchering of guitars is such a strange phenomenon to me - this is a prime example - a beautifully stunning guitar that was f’d up by the so called “Murphy lab” - not trying to sound like a hater or start a heated debate, I just don’t get it - I can’t stand the “Murphy lab” moniker too - he’s not even the one freaking aging the guitars anymore - sorry for ranting, I hope I’m not offending anyone.

 

[efstop]

I’ve yet to understand the aging/relic hype - the intentional dinging, checking & butchering of guitars is such a strange phenomenon to me - this is a prime example - a beautifully stunning guitar that was f’d up by the so called “Murphy lab” - not trying to sound like a hater or start a heated debate, I just don’t get it - I can’t stand the “Murphy lab” moniker too - he’s not even the one freaking aging the guitars anymore - sorry for ranting, I hope I’m not offending anyone.

You won't change the minds of those who like an artificially aged guitar. The guitars are f'd up only in one's opinion. It's all cosmetic. I think a Tele with humbuckers and/or body binding is f'd up.

 

[ryano]

I wouldn’t be surprised if they put these guitars in a commercial blast chiller.

Im pretty sure that is exactly what they are doing now. It takes too much time to hand cut those checking lines in by hand, with a razor.

 

[Six6String6]

Let me open by stating I believe in “each to his own” but…
I just don’t see the allure in paying big bucks to buy an artificially aged anything trying to mimic something from decades ago. No matter what is done to it, it is still a brand new manufactured item.
It’s like the kids buying jeans ripped and worn with gaping holes in them. That’s the stuff I throw out. I don’t get it.
That’s just me though. Imagine buying a new car with door dings, worn paint, rotted out muffler? For only $85,000.00?

 

[calieng]

Here are some close up pictures as requested.

The top checking is some of the better checking I’ve seen on an ML but the finish on the sides seems way too thick. I have yet to see an ML that didn’t have this finish effect in the bout area and around the strap button.

I think any additional aged guitars in my future will be vintage or ones that I age naturally myself like my beater TH59. I still love that guitar and the wear looks natural because it is. Just to be clear I have absolutely no issue with a pre-aged. guitar. It’s an aesthetic choice like color. However for me, it needs to be convincing.

No offense intended but that checking looks like the same as the one I sent back. Especially by the strap button / neck joint. I would not have kept that guitar. It will likely flake off like some others have seen.

Otherwise a very good review and much appreciated. I have found the heavy aged versions to be pretty good for lacquer checking and the finish seems only half a thick as the UL aged models. But even then you need to pick and choose. Out of 20 I would look at there might be only one I would actually consider buying. Quality of the flame tops overall is way down. But still some real nice ones out there if you look for them.

Cheers.

 

[Brek]

I bought for the lacquer, which also may not make sense to some. To me it was an important element of the feel and dare i say it sound? I bought the goldtop in ultralight aged for the reason i don't want to pay extra for ageing that won't affect sound or playability. I bought the 1958 on impulse if i'm honest, after seeing it on the website I thought it looked kinda cool. I am so very glad i did, it is simply the best example of a 50's style les paul i have had in my hands, the aging has nothing to do with that of course. So the labs are not all about the aging for me anyway. Of course it could all be slick marketing and all, but I have a guitar I can cherish.

 

[calieng]

Here's what you have to look forward too: I only had the guitar for 2 weeks and not even played yet. The only UL I was considering keeping. Will be calling the merchant to return today because even more of the finish feels like it is ready to flake off and it looked a lot better than yours at the neck joint originally. Gibson will have a lot of returns and warranty work with these.

 

[Brek]

Yeah, you might be right ref warranty repaints, its kinda ironic, we, well some, demanded this accurate lacquer, and all the fragility it comes with, although i do now wonder how accurate the new formula is. I did read somewhere that part of the lustre of the 50's guitars was due an additive that is just not made anymore, it was banned from use because of its toxicity.
The goldtop lacquer feels different, thicker, and more like the VOS in some ways, although the back is checked like the OP's very small patterns of checking. The front though looks better, with longer lines around 'stress' points, i.e. carve transitions etc. Its still very hard though as i have chipped it already as a mini pedal knocked against it. As far as i can tell on my two not lost any lacquer other than that.